Creation: Appeared in July 1933 as a renumbering of VA 432. It initially ran from VA 147 north to Glenside, then west to VA 4 (now US 33). This has been the only VA 161.

VA 432 north of Richmond
1932 Official

VA 161 replaces VA 432
1933 Official

Adjustments: In March 1942, by Act of General Assembly, VA 161 was rerouted in Glenside to instead head east to US 1 as it does now. The routing west to US 33 became VA 356.
In Nov 1942 (CTB), VA 161 was extended south as upgraded routing across the James River and down to US 1-301.
In March 1994 (CTB), VA 161 was rerouted in southern Richmond to
its current route using Bells Rd and Commerce Rd down to I-95. The old
routing to US 1-301 is now just Terminal Ave

VA 161 extended south and rerouted away from US 33
1944 Official

VA 161 rerouted to Bells Rd
1996 Official

Improvements: Paved upon inception
The first multilaning of VA 161 is shown on the 1952 Official, from the NCL Richmond to VA 356.
In 1957, VA 161 was multilaned from US 60 to US 360.
In 1960 or 1961, VA 161 was multilaned: VA 10 to US 360; US 60 to the James River; VA 147 to US 33-250
In 1964, VA 161 was multilaned on its VA 10 duplex.
In 1966, VA 161 was multilaned from US 33-250 to NCL Richmond
In 1975, VA 161 was multilaned in the vicinity of VA 195
In 1992, VA 161 was multilaned from VA 10 south to where it left Belt Blvd. for Terminal Blvd.
In 1993 or 1994, VA 161 was multilaned from VA 356 to US 1.
In 1994, VA 161 was multilaned from Terminal Blvd. south to I-95 when it was rerouted to Belt Blvd/Commerce Rd.
Posted: Fully posted; cutouts removed at VA 197 in mid-2010s; cutouts may still be up at VA 147; white border sign north of I-95 exit 80 made it to mid-90s
There were error US 161 shields on US 33-250 EB continuously for at least 25 years from 1981. A shorter-lived US 161 shield also existed on VA 10 in the late 1990s.
Poor posting at VA 356 and nearby US 1 have been greatly improved.
Multiplexes: VA 10 (0.43 mi)
Legislative names: NONE
Other names: Commerce Rd/Bells Rd/Belt Blvd/Broad Rock
Blvd/Westover Hills Blvd (south of James River); Nickel Bridge; Park
Dr/Blanton Ave/Boulevard/Hermitage Rd (north of James River); Lakeside
Ave/Hilliard Rd (Henrico Co)
Scenic Byway: NONE
Comment: The VA 161 bridge over the James River is a toll bridge.
VA 161 runs through some swanky parts of Richmond on both sides of the river.